Waterford Business Awards – Food and Agri Business

On Friday, 23rd of February, the annual Waterford Business Awards will take place in Faithlegg House Hotel in association with Waterford Chamber, WLR and Waterford City and County Council , celebrating the best in Waterford business across 11 categories. In each category, 3 local businesses are shortlisted, and every day on WLR in the lead up to the gala awards ceremony, we’ll be putting the spotlight on a different awards category:

Today it’s Food and Agri Business sponsored by PWC, and the shortlist is:

CHIA BIA

Chia Bia was the first company to bring chia seed to Europe and 2018 will see significant growth in exports to the Middle East region for the Chia Bia product range. Founder Barrie Rogers discovered the anti-inflammatory benefits of chia when he suffered a back injury in the US and went on to find a way to bring chia to Ireland. From its humble beginning in 2009, Chia Bia’s Whole Chia Seed is now the Number 1 selling seed on the Irish market, with all products available nationwide.

COFFEE HOUSE LANE

Although Coffee House Lane is a relatively new brand to the market, Mark Bergin and his family have a long association with coffee. Mark’s father, Stephen, began working with coffee in the 1960s. Coffee Warehouse created its first range, Ponticelli in 2009 and in 2014 launched its award-winning signature ‘1690 Blend’ which pays tribute to the true home of coffee in Ireland, Coffee House Lane. Their move to a new 6,000 sq ft home at the IDA Northern Extension will facilitate increased production, create employment, expansion into new export markets and development of new coffee blends.

PIP AND PEAR

Pip and Pear Chilled Baby Food, the brain child of Irene Queally, offers parents a guilt free alternative to their own home cooking. The award winning range is gently cooked using the highest quality ingredients and contains no added sugar, salt or additives – just like homemade. Each pot of Pip & Pear contains two of baby’s five a day fruit and veg portions, includes dishes that are vegetarian and also free from gluten, egg and dairy. Pip and Pear is proudly made in Ireland and is available in supermarkets nationwide.

The best of luck to Chia Bia, Pip & Pear and Coffee House Lane who are shortlisted for the Waterford Business Awards in the Food & Agri category, sponsored by PwC. The winner will be announced this Friday at a gala ceremony in Faithlegg House Hotel & Golf Club with Waterford Chamber of Commerce.